Why does Tabs meow, desperately, for food when his food bowl is still halfway filled? I know you’re always hungry, Tabs, but you can’t be THAT hungry. Is it out of worry/concern? You just don’t want to take any chances?

If Fifty Shades of Grey were made into a movie, how awkward would it be to have to sit through it with my parents? (I’m guessing pretty awkward.)

I want an app like Siri that I can tell all of my problems to, and it answers every one of them with a perfect solution…because my Magic 8 Ball just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Why is binging on television so satisfying? I’ve watched half of the entire first season of House of Cards on Netflix in two days and man! — it’s almost as satisfying as eating an entire tub of HÃ¤agen-Dazs.

Is there, in fact, a mystery behind the Chanel Mystere Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow quad? Did Karl have to, like, go incognito or something to track down the secret ingredients? For some reason, I can see him working crazy wigs and disguises, a la Sydney Bristow in Alias.

And now, Chanel Mystere…

The Chanel Mystere Quad, $59

I wore it when I visited my in-laws in Redding last week, and I’ll say this right now: when I layer Mystere on top of my good ol’ NARS Pro-Prime, it’s the sh*t in terms of wear time, because Redding is hella hot, like 150 degrees in the shade, yo, like “Oh, mah gerd! I’m stuck in a microwave oven!”

And even though it felt like the heat was doing a number on my makeup, Mystere didn’t fade or crease from dawn till dusk.

Wear time? BOMB.

I like this quad, especially the way it looks on cool-toned gals who dig grays. On me, I think it seems a little awkward by itself, and I have to use some tricks to make it work, like by starting with a yellowish base like MAC Ochre Paint Pot and then mixing in a warm orangey brown like MAC Soft Brown into my crease.

When I do both of those things, which I did in these pics, the warmer colors transition into the cool grays and taupes, making them appear less harsh on my warm tan, but when I don’t, the gray/taupe undertones — of which there are plenty here, as even the light gold has a hint of gray in it — look chalky.

If you’re a guy/doll with a warmer skin tone, unless you’re willing to add in some extra colors, you might end up primarily using Mystere as a liner.

That’s my favorite way to wear it, truth be told. The three darker colors (the satin grayish taupe, dark grayish khaki with golden shimmer, and the medium grayish khaki) are special “something-something” colors, great for times when you want to wear something dark, but not black, and want softly defined lash lines.

Actually, I watched The Wolverine last weekend, and Viper, the main bad gal/villainess, wore this really beautiful green cat eye that I think the darkest shade in the Mystere quad could create.

NOTE TO SELF: If you ever become a villainess — because let’s face it, the bad gals always get the most interesting hair, makeup and shoes — don’t forget to bring along Chanel Mystere if/when you have to travel to your secret underground lair.

With colors that probably work best on cooler skin tones, wear time that can’t be beat, shadows that blend like a dream and never look caked-on or heavy, and minimal fallout (a little, but not enough to make it unbearable), Mystere, like most Chanel quads, werks.

It is really expensive, though, but it may be worth it if you love grays/taupes and Chanel.

Cuddlebug Tabby!

Tabs as a husky 1-year-old kitten…

Tabs has been uncharacteristically snuggly since I got back from Redding on Saturday, and it’s been glorious! He hasn’t been this sweet to me in ages. He usually demands some lurvies first thing in the morning, then once or twice through the day, and then right around 10:30 p.m. for dinner, but he’s been all about the K-Dawg 24/7.

He’s done things that he hasn’t since he was a kitten, like nap in my lap and sleep on top of my chest for 30 minutes at a time.

I’m telling myself not to get too used to it…but I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

Are your pets extra cuddly for a while when you return home from a trip?

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I love when pets go through that stage! Ever since I went away for college my dogs at home have just been all about me when i’m back. 🙂 Funny, just like Tabs, they weren’t very attached before… I guess they do miss me.Lauren recently posted … FOTD 7-28-13 Using Wet N Wild and NYC

I keep thinking about getting this quad, but I’m still on the fence about it. Every time I see someone wearing it I think it’s gorgeous like it is on you! But I’m sure I already have colours like this in the stash already.
Cuddly Tabs is so cute!!Tracy@Beauty Reflections recently posted … Clarins Graphic Expression Autumn 2013 Makeup Collection Preview

Hi Karen,
In reference to your first mystery, there is a cute clip on the web. Google Sad cat diary. As a cat owner, there is a lot of truth in the video.
I am a long time reader and really enjoy your blog.
Cyndee

Oh yes, my pets are always very snuggly when I go on a trip…like to the grocery store and back. Every time I leave they’re pretty sure it’s permanent abandonment!

My vet said that cats are stimulative eaters. She suggested that I stir my finger around a half-full bowl of food to encourage my kitty to eat from it. It doesn’t work on him, but I know other people who have had success with that trick.

Absolutely gorgeous on you! I think it might be a little too dark for me, but I do love Chanel!! I’d get this in a heartbeat if they had one lighter shade. Love the review <3 xo KellyKelly G recently posted … Birchbox July 2013

1) That looks amazing on you, you really made it work!
2) I’m now annoyed that in the UK we will not be getting the same formulation (We get baked rather than pressed)
3) Tabs looks sooooo happy in that photo!
4) Our two fluffies tend to be really happy to see us when we get in through the door, then throw a strop for a few hours because we were away, then go mad for fuss and cuddles 😀

Thanks for the tip for warm-toned girls, Karen! I’m big on khaki so I’ve been eyeing this one, and I hope it won’t contrast with my skin tone in a bad way! I suppose I could always layer it on something like Benefit Birthday Suit!Sunny recently posted … His & Hers (Summer) Fragrances

I would guess that Tabs is just screaming for fresh food, not more food. I get swarmed by my brood when the boys fill their dishes too high. They’re all like “yeah, there’s food, but it’s been sitting there for hours!”. 🙂 We’re pretty lucky to have a snuggly bunch. The smallest will stand on her back legs and stretch her front paws up to be picked up. It’s the cutest thing. 🙂

Oh, and as for the quad, I think the colors are great together but a bit too dark/harsh for me.

This is one quad I will skip (colors aren’t right for me), but I love that you’ve given tips on using it with warmer-toned skin. I will have to try that with another Chanel quad I own that is muddy-looking on me.

Love the neutral lip, and I suspect a sheer coral lip would work well, too.

Karen, I’m darker than you and Mystere works really well for me. Admittedly, after all this time I’m still not sure if I’m warm or cool or some midpoint! Wish you were here to consult with! Anyway, the pale taupe in the bottom right is the least interesting, but the darker colors pull forest green on me especially when paired with pale yellow top right. I also like it using Apparence Illusion D’Ombre, an antique gold, as a base.

Wanted to love this quad but it just didn’t impress me.I was hoping for more golden Khaki colors.You did a good look with it, looks great on you! My cat Blaow does the same thing Meows over his food bowl as if it’s empty. If I put a few new pieces in he starts eating, so funny.I often say Blaow you already have food, what the problem? Cute picture of you and Tabs!

I had to comment on how I LOVE this picture of you and Tabs. OMG, he is such a handsome boy (and you are so little). My youngest kitty, Maggie, is hot and cold when it comes to giving me love. Some weeks she will not leave me alone, making kitty biscuits on my stomach while drooling and having me pet her. Then other weeks she may allow me to pet her while she is investigating what I am doing on the toilet then sleep on as many things she can coat all of her hair on and not look my way twice. LOL. Cats are such independent and mysterious creatures.

I want this palette!!!! 🙂 The picture of you snuggling with Tabs is super adorable. He looks like a kitty blanket. 🙂 If he meows so much when he has food in the bowl might mean he is telling you he is tired of that food and wants something new and exciting. Pets can be foodies too. I have one at home. 🙂 We have a Samoyed pup rescue (well he is 5 y/o but I call and will always call him Pup) and he is always glued to one of us. I call him affectionally the Velcro Pup. We LOVE him TONS 🙂